Simplifying things

Simple (adj.): having one or only a few parts; UNCOMPLICATED; without additions; not luxurious or ornate

Success (n.): the gaining of wealth, fame, ect.

This definition makes simple seem so....simple. It just sounds so uncomplicated to "live simply". Back in January, Brian commented that he wanted to live a "simplistic" life. He wanted to live with the basics and really cut back. We've tried to do this several times, and while we have improved on some areas, we still fail daily.

I wish I knew when things changed......wish I knew when success became measured by how much "stuff" you had, how nice your house is, how many/what kind of car you drive, ect. I feel that society today is teaching us to feel sub-par if you don't have the best or newest gadget. Society teaches us to always aim for instant gratification....I want something, and I want it now! I feel like today's youth are being so cheated. They are being taught to value "stuff;" it's what makes you successful. This message is so wrong. Because at the end of the day, that stuff is still just stuff; material possessions that truly aren't needed. This way of life seems so much more simple, but it's truly more complicated. You have to work so much harder for it all, and for what? To drive home to a house full of stuff at the end of a long day, much of which probably isn't even used that often (this is so true in our house). If I were to truly clean out our house and clear out the amount of stuff we've accumulated in 3 1/2 years of marriage that we never use.....well, let's just say we could have one AMAZING garage sale:). It's just stuff that takes up space, clutters our lives, and oftentimes makes us forget what is truly important. Sure, I like all of our stuff, but is it truly necessary? Do I really need 12 pairs of jeans (just guessing here at how many I have, but it's a lot!)? No, I could survive with just a couple of pairs. Do I really need two shoe caddy's full of shoes, and then some? Probably not. Do our kids need every square inch of wall space covered with toys in their rooms? Absolutely not, they are just as happy with boxes, dirt, and pots and pans. I just wish I knew when it changed.......

I watch my amazing husband work so hard for us to provide for us daily. And provide for us he does, so much. His hard work allows me to stay home with our kids and provides and amazing house over our head. His hard work puts food on the table, food on our backs, and so so much more. Yet I watch him struggle daily with the idea that he's still not good enough, or giving us what we need or deserve. And I hate that. I hate the day that society changed our views of what success is. I hate the day when society began making the hard working man and woman feel like they wren't good enough anymore or giving enough. Because it is so untrue!!! Brian, you give us more than we could ever need, and you are good enough and provide more than enough for us!

I always tell Brian, "we could live on so much less." And it's true. So many things in our life are just "comforts" we've told ourselves are necessary for everyday life. WRONG! It's just stuff. And it's not even the stuff that matters. So....with that all said, I pray that I can truly begin to live the simple life that I can "de-clutter" our lives of the stuff that's crowding it. I pray that I can make the man I love feel successful, important, needed, and good enough for us daily. I want to go back to the basics. At the end of the day, it's these three that matter the most.


As long as these three are by my side, we can survive anything. It is my hope and prayer that our children can grow up in a household full of love....a household where you understand that relationships and memories made are the important things in life....a household where you understand the value of a dollar, not fifty. I remember growing up, my step-dad would always tell us he'd give us a dollar if we'd go get him a pepsi:) As I kid, Ross and I would jump at this chance. "Sweet! A dollar!!!" As I got older, I just laughed and said give me five and you've got a deal:). I hate that a dollar became not good enough and not worth it. It shouldn't have been about the money, but about doing a kind thing for family. I pray that our children don't get caught up in society's definition of success, but understand God's idea of success. I pray that they are confident and comfortable in their own skin. Not because of the things they have, or the clothes they wear, but because they are okay with being the people God created them to be. Because after all, at the end of the day, it's all still just stuff. Daily things to clutter or lives.

Matthew 6:19-20

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (NIV)